President-elect Donald Trump has nominated his personal attorneys, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, to senior positions within the Department of Justice, marking a continuation of his strategy to place loyalists in key government roles. Blanche, who played a significant role in Trump's defense during his New York trial related to hush money payments, is selected as deputy attorney general, while Bove is appointed as principal associate deputy attorney general. These appointments, along with the nomination of former Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general, have raised concerns over the DOJ's independence and the potential for centralization of power. Both Blanche and Bove have extensive backgrounds in the Southern District of New York, which Trump highlighted as beneficial for reforming the justice system. Critics see these moves as efforts to shield Trump from legal scrutiny, while supporters argue they are necessary to address perceived biases in the DOJ. Additionally, Trump has nominated John Sauer, involved in a presidential immunity case, as solicitor general, further solidifying his legal team within the department.